Brooks leads the NAIA in scoring, rebounding

News-Sentinel staff report

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 12:02 am

The number 27 is proving to be a lucky one for Indiana Tech men's basketball player Melvin Brooks.The senior forward scored that many points for the second consecutive game, as he led the Warriors (2-0) to a 74-57 victory over Ohio Midwestern College at the Schaefer Center.

Brooks' 27 points and 17 rebounds matched his career-high in both categories, which he established last Saturday against Indiana Dabney University. After the first two games, Brooks leads the nation in scoring and rebounds per game.

The Warriors got off to a slow start on Tuesday, as they trailed 6-0 before Antonio Landers put in a basket at the 17:15 mark.

Ohio Midwestern would extend its lead to 12-4 six minutes into the game, but a three-pointer from Landers would spark a 9-2 scoring run by the Warriors to cut the deficit to 14-13 midway through the first half.

The Rams pushed their advantage back to 19-13, but another scoring spurt by the 25th-ranked Warriors tied the game at 21 before Jordan Hickman scored off a turnover to give the Warriors their first lead of the game with 5:11 remaining in the half.

Over the final 10 minutes of the first half, the Warriors outscored the visiting Rams 26-5 to take a 39-24 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors struggled from the field early in the second half, hitting just two of their first 15 shots, while the Rams clawed their way back into the game.

Ohio Midwestern took advantage of Indiana Tech's slow start and trimmed the deficit to 46-40 with 12:32 left on the clock. However, Brooks would convert on his next three shots to help boost the Warrior lead back to 55-46 over the next four minutes.

From that point on, it was all Indiana Tech, as Kody Chandler would connect from long range to give the Warriors a double-digit lead with under five minutes to play.

Landers finished with 12 points and six assists, while Chandler and Hickman added 11 points apiece.

Antwan Cathey chipped in seven points and seven boards off the bench.

The Warriors held Ohio Midwestern to just 34 percent shooting on the night and forced the Rams into 17 turnovers.

Indiana Tech will host Trinity Christian College at 6 p.m. Saturday.

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